Eton Mobius, Soulra 2 and Road Torq hands-on

Eton Mobius, Soulra 2 and Road Torq hands-on

It seems that whole "solar panel" thing is working out pretty well for Eton, because the emergency radio company's got a slew of new products that charge with the sun's rays -- not just the angular Raptor, but also a brand-new wireless iPod boombox and an iPhone 4 external battery pack that use the very same tech. The Eton Mobius crams a monocrystal solar panel and an 1800mAh battery into an package just about 20mm thick, which Eton claims not will not only doubles the iPhone 4's battery life, but lets it run for nearly 20 minutes per hour of direct sunlight exposure. Meanwhile, the Soulra 2 boombox upgrades not only the power of its predecessor with a full eight speakers, but also the rate of charge, with a larger solar panel that lets it juice an internal 2000mAh pack in five hours, and pump out jams for up to eight. Both felt like pretty early prototypes when we gave them a heft, but the Soulra 2 gets fairly loud -- enough to hear music over the din of the CES floor, at least. It's also a heavy one, but comes with a carrying strap and handle.

If you're bound and determined to have a hand crank on your emergency tool, though, you might want to give Eton's American Red Cross devices a look -- particularly this Road Torq stand-up beacon designed for car troubles. Flip out the combination flashlight / and red LED signal flare, pull out three reflector feet, and it stands up providing fifteen minutes of light for each minute you crank. PR after the break.

(LAS VEGAS – Upper South Hall, Booth #30959 – January 4, 2011) – Etón Corporation, a leading emergency preparedness company and creator of green-powered electronics, announces the Raptor at CES 2011. The self-powered device uses solar energy to charge a cell phone via USB and provides guidance functions for outdoor activities. The Raptor will be seen for the first time at booth #30959 in the Upper South Hall.

Featuring an 1800mAh rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery, the Raptor uses a high-efficiency monocrystal solar panel to power the utilities of the device. Packed with features, the Raptor houses the ABCs of an outdoor adventure tool; altimeter, barometer and compass. The Raptor also features an AM/FM/WB digital radio tuner with presets and NOAA weather alerts, as well as a digital clock with an alarm function. The unit can be charged via a solar panel or DC power, and the stored solar energy can be transferred to charge a cell phone via USB.

Raptor weighs just over 11 ounces and packs the additional features of an LED flashlight, audio line and DC input, battery charge indicator and even a bottle opener. The device is housed in rugged, rubberized and splashproof (IPX-4) casing, providing a layer of protection against water and dust. Sold separately, a holster is available to hold the unit and a mobile device, providing hands free flexibility and added protection.

"The Etón brand continues to advance new ways to harness the power of the sun, and the Raptor is another example of this innovation," said Esmail Amid-Hozour, CEO of Etón Corporation. "We've incorporated a multitude of novel features into the Raptor and it will no doubt become a must-have device for anyone exploring the outdoors."

The Raptor will be available in 2011. For more information on Etón Corporation and its products, visit www.etoncorp.com.

TurboDyne Series includes three self-powered products, providing a reliable source of light and power for any unexpected situation

(LAS VEGAS - Upper South Hall, #30959 - January 4, 2011) – Etón Corporation, a leading emergency preparedness company and creator of green-powered electronics, continues its long-standing relationship with the American Red Cross to introduce the TurboDyne Series – a new line of self-powered preparedness products - at CES 2011. The Road Torq, Axis and Rover are being showcased for the first time in Upper South Hall, booth #30959. "Our long-standing partnership with the American Red Cross enables us to provide products that help our friends and families stay prepared for unexpected situations," says Esmail Hozour, CEO of Etón Corporation. "Our new TurboDyne Series represents a new design and increased functionality, and we are proud to help support the efforts of the Red Cross with its introduction."

The Road Torq represents Etón's first auto accessory. The self-powered spotlight and flashing beacon is designed to provide emergency assistance on the road and is powered by a hand turbine power generator – no batteries are ever required. The Road Torq features a retractable tripod, enabling the device to be used as a flashlight, or stood upright to be a steady flashing beacon to notify passing motorists. In addition, the powerful 1W LED is on a folding hinge, allowing the beam to be positioned where needed most. The Road Torq is an essential item for every vehicle's spare tire kit.

The Axis, a self-powered AM/FM/NOAA emergency weather radio, will keep anyone prepared in an emergency situation. If left without power, the Axis features four white LED lights and one flashing red LED light, as well as a direct USB power transfer. The Axis is complete with a 3.5 mm headphone output, DC input, auxiliary input and a telescopic antenna for maximum range and reception. The Axis can be powered from three different sources: the hand turbine power generator, three AAA batteries and DC power.

In addition, Etón is announcing the Rover, a self-powered AM/FM/NOAA emergency weather radio complete with a three white LED light source. The Rover is powered by hand turbine power generator and features direct USB power transfer to charge cell phones and 3.5 mm headphone output.

The Road Torq, the Axis and the Rover will be available in 2011 and a portion of proceeds from each sale goes to the American Red Cross. For more information on other Etón products, visit www.etoncorp.com.